Special Features: students must attend at least four courses/lectures at TU Darmstadt and at least six courses/lectures at the Goethe University Frankfurt; further information

Brief Description

The Master of Arts in International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research takes place with cooperation between the Goethe University Frankfurt, the TU Darmstadt and the Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (HSFK) (Peace Research Institute Frankfurt – PRIF). As a result, students are required to attend at least four courses/lectures at TU Darmstadt and at least six courses/lectures at the Goethe University Frankfurt.

The degree programme is situated at the interface between peace and conflict research, international relations, political theory and philosophy.The focus of the programme is on problems of regional and global systems, the differential analysis of conflicts and the comprehensive theoretical development of strategies to diffuse conflicts and promote peace.

Semester Course Schedule (print version)

The Master of Arts in International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research is divided into the following modules:

Module 1: Foundations of International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research: Introduction to fundamental political science concepts and paradigms, as well as features and concepts in peace and conflict research

Module 2: World Order and Civilization: Agents and political arenas at the international level

Module 3: Conflict, War and the Peace Process: Conflicts and wars of the present, peace processes and conflict mediation, origins and consequences of war, conflict transformation, peace strategies

Module 4: Research Internship: In-depth study of empirical knowledge and application of methods in empirical social science research

Module 5: Internship: Career-related internship of a minimum of 7.5 weeks, plus final written report

Advice for Prospective M.A. Students

While the Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science focuses mainly on the fundamentals of the field, the Master of Arts in International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research builds directly on this foundation by providing more breadth and depth scientifically and a more complete insight into the field. In contrast to the Bachelor degree programme, the Master of Arts enables and requires students to adopt their own major focal area and to work towards their own independent academic, scientific research profile. For these reasons it is recommended that students complete a Master of Arts degree.

Doctoral Studies

Upon successful completion of a Master of Science degree, there is the opportunity to begin working towards a Ph.D. either at the TU Darmstadt or at another national or international university. Further information on doctoral studies at TU Darmstadt:

Career Perspectives

The career prospects for social scientists in general and for graduates of Political Science in particular, i.e. Master of Arts holders in International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research, are widely varied. An important feature of this broad spectrum includes practical experience, which students may obtain during their degree, depending on which specialisations they wish to focus on.

Political scientists also work with schoolbook and textbook editors, with publishing houses (e.g. as copy editors), with radio, television and newspaper editing desks, in PR and marketing agencies, in libraries and archives, with international organisations and in the cultural field. With additional business management qualification, political scientists may also find positions in business enterprises (e.g. in business and marketing or human resources). Other options include working in the public service, with press agencies or in journalism, which are areas where social scientists often work in.

In general, political scientists of course also often find themselves working in research and teaching at universities. In addition, they are also found in statistical, market and polling institutes for political parties, associations, international organisations or in public administration.

For this reason it is important to start early in the degree programme to gain practical work experience in relevant organisations. In this way students can promote themselves as competent professionals in practice and make important professional contacts. The likelihood of finding a good position is definitely heightened if the student is flexible when it comes to commuting or even moving abroad. Good English language skills are particularly important when it comes to the international job market.

TU Darmstadt's offer of Job Shadowingis a quick and simple method of career orientation by accompanying professionally experienced TU Darmstadt alumni for one day.

Further information about career opportunities on the German job market may be found on the following websites: